Home / News / New rotary steerable system, telemetry platform announced from Amsterdam

Schlumberger this week announced the release of its new PowerDrive vorteX RT powered rotary steerable system (RSS) with wireless communicator, and its new Orion II telemetry platform, which enables reliable communication with bottomhole assemblies whether drilling at high penetration rates or longer boreholes.

The new RSS allows near-bit information above and below BHA components, so accurate targets can be reached in less time. It uses induction propagation antenna coils to generate and detect an electromagnetic field. The bi-directional, half-duplex communication runs in all formation types, jumping up to 20 m of BHA, and includes real-time gamma ray, resistivity, and neutron density information.

New rotary steerable system, telemetry platform announced from Amsterdam

“The ability to now communicate over a drilling motor power section enhances geosteering BHA capabilities and lets you place third-party hardware anywhere on the string,” said Ian Falconer, marketing manager, Drilling & Measurements, Schlumberger. “It is possible to fine-tune the borehole trajectory while drilling ahead at high-speed. This maximizes drilling performance while directly reducing drilling costs.”

An operator in the Middle East drilled a 4,567-ft section in one run with no non-productive time and reduced stick/slip from 100 rpm to 25 rpm. This increased rate of penetration 33% higher than the field average, with the well setting the field record for the longest 8 ½-in. hole drilled in a single run.

“With Orion II, more quality data and higher resolution images can be transmitted, at greater depths, enabling better drilling decisions to be made in real time,” Mr Falconer said.

The platform combines new data compression technology housed in the MWD/LWD tool with new surface and downhole sensors that modulate and demodulate signals and overcome interference from drilling and rig noise, even in harsh environments. Downlink commands are sent in real time while drilling without affecting delivery of measurement data to surface.